Our recess isn’t just a holiday
It’s been a busy few weeks since I last shared with you here at the Hamilton Advertiser. With Holyrood in recess, I’ve spent most of my time here in the constituency.
Often when people hear that Parliament is in recess it sounds like we have all gone on holiday, but the reality is that it’s an excellent opportunity to spend each day back out in the heart of the community and meeting local people.
One of the key issues that has developed since I last shared with you has been the proposal by developers to build a significant number of houses at the end of Clyde Avenue in Bothwell.
I was contacted by concerned local residents about the proposed housing development and visited them on Wednesday July 12 at the area near the proposed development.
I immediately felt more local people should know about this application and therefore my office staff and I hand delivered letters to many local people to let them know about the opportunity to have their views heard by the council’s planning department ahead of the deadline for feedback.
I’ve also urged the local authority to listen to local people; to identify a more suitable location and one which enjoys the satisfaction of local residents. I will be watching this issue with interest in the coming weeks.
The last few weeks also presented a great opportunity for me to visit local businesses and I was therefore delighted to visit Dawnfresh in Uddingston, one of the UK’S largest producers of fish and seafood based in this constituency.
Dawnfresh produce for food service and retail, both in the UK and around the world, and I was amazed to see the facilities first hand during a site visit.
Companies like Dawnfresh contribute to the thriving food and drink industry here in Scotland and are an example of the excellent produce that Scotland is well known for around the world.
On July 5, I threw open the doors of my constituency office and hosted a Blooming Great Tea Party – supported I am proud to say by two local businesses.
The event was a great success and raised over £200 for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
I want to thank everyone who helped make it such a success. Surgeries will begin again in September, however, for now anyone who wishes to raise a matter with me can do so via my office at 188 Main Street, Bellshill, ML4 1AE on 01698 479900 or by contacting me via email at Richard.lyle. Msp@parliament.scot.
Finally, I hope that everyone has had excellent summer holidays and looking ahead I want to wish all of our new school starts, be that at nursery, primary or secondary school – all the very best of success for the year ahead. Until next time, Richard.
The last few weeks also presented a great opportunity for me to visit businesses and I was delighted to visit Dawnfresh